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Author
Topic: Working while on SSD? (Read 6965 times)

Hi everyone. I know it has been a long time since I have posted. I usually come on to read but have not posted just since I have been so busy. I hope everyone is doing well and I was hoping you could help me.I am so tired of sitting home. It makes me want to just lay in bed and sleep. I really miss working. I was thinking about going back per diem but am not sure since I am on SSD if I am able to work at all. I do not want to work but maybe a few hours a day for maybe 2-3 days a week. Anyone know if you are able to work at all on SSD?

Yes, you can work while collecting disability, but that all depends on how long you've been collecting it. If you've only been on it a short while, I would wait a bit. If you go back to work too soon, it may put up a big red flag and you don't want that. I waited about 4 years before going back to work. If you do go back, you can make as much as you want for the first 9 months. After that period is up, you can only make up to I believe it's $940 or $980 a month. If you go over that amount they will consider it as substantial gainful employment and may cut your benefits. I've been working part-time for almost 4 years now and haven't had a problem. I never go over the income limit of $940 or $980. Just go to SSA.gov for more information. They have special rules for those of us living with HIV/AIDS to go back to work. I don't know all of the rules, just enough to keep me afloat.

Wishing you all the best!

With love,Trish

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"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is buit." Eleanor Roosevelt

I would suggest you call your local vocational rehabilitation office and set up an intake. Since you are HIV positive and receiving SSD for some reason (even if not related to HIV) you should be eligible for services. The federal government has lots of rules and regulations on how much money you can make, etc without it effecting your Mediciad or money. The VR office should have a benefits counselor who can walk through all the numbers and advise you of different options. There are a number of of programs which allow you to work for set periods of time to see if you can reenter and if you go through the Ticket to Work program the first X amount of time (varies I think) is notdeemed against your benefits. One of my consumers simply volunteer in the job instead of receiving pay. Of course there are ways around reporting if you desire that and the person could pay you in cash. but that's all up to you. thanks, and please feel free to email me any specific questions at this user name on hotmail, since I don't check here very often. thanks,z

This website provides an overview of benefits and how they are impacted when someone on benefits decides to work. It includes a "Benefits to Work calculator.

There is also the Red Book which serves as a guide about employment-related provisions about Social Security Disability and the Supplemental Security Programs for educators, advocates rehabilitation professionals and counselors who serve people with disabilities. www.ssa.gov/redbook/ Have the best dayMichael

Fran-I have found that volunteering helps to get me out of the house and my mind off of my own situation, obviously you don't get paid but it can be rewarding. I found an org. around here that helps housebound elderly. If you like kids, your local school is probably looking for volunteers to read to the kids or something like that.Good luck!Snow

Fran, I can not help with your dilema, as we both know I work like a dog. I will say that Trish had a great idea, you should look into something that is part time that would give you a reward back. I believe that you can do anything, but we both know I am biased. XOXOX... D

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Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. Calvin Coolidge

I was told by my caseworker not even to try to apply, that it was a waste of time. Is there something I dont know?

in the early days of the HIV epidemic even the meds had terrible side-effects. It was easier to get disability then because if AIDS didn't kill you, the meds just might. Someone recently going onto today's meds should have few problems with continuing to work, supporting themselves, and receiving treatment through their insurance plans.

this thread demonstrates that better treatment regimens have even improved some people's lives enough, that though they had gone onto disability in the past, they now feel good enough to consider returning to the work force

I was told by my caseworker not even to try to apply, that it was a waste of time. Is there something I dont know?

I was diagnosed a little over 4 years ago with AIDS. I had a cd4 of 52 and spent a month in the hospital with PCP. I applied not thinking I would even get it and less then a year later I did. It is weird because then you have my sister-in-law, who has RA and can barely move and they denied her.

Thank you for all your responses. Moffie, no fainting but glad to be here and hear from everyone. Joel, thank you and right back at you.I would love to volunteer but could really use the extra money you know. I could never go back full time though because I just get very tired through the day. I guess I will call SS and see what they say

The amount this year is $980. My benefits counselor (someone who helps people on disability work) told me next year it's going to be $1000.

I believe the amount you can make depends on how much you get. I have talked to social security and i am allowed to make like 890 i think it is. You can also make as much as you want for 9 months i was told by the rep at social security.

I believe the amount you can make depends on how much you get. I have talked to social security and i am allowed to make like 890 i think it is. You can also make as much as you want for 9 months i was told by the rep at social security.

Hope this helps some

Brian, you need to talk to a benefits counselor. They know the deal, and the amount for anyone on SSDI is $980 this year, $1000 next year. Now, if you're on just SSI, what you said is true. Being that that's a needs based program, the amount you can make is dependent on the amount you get. However, if you're on SSDI, then it's $980.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

I only have my own experience to go on, but be careful if they offer you a "work trial." It's a way for them to fast-track you off of disability. I made a mistake in the mid-1990s of going on a work trial, and eventually completely off of disability.

The problem came, when my symptoms came back. I had to go through the entire reapplication process with Social Security from step one. Now, four and a half years later (and two appeals) I've finally gotten my benefits back.

I'm not saying not to consider it. I'm just saying be very clear that it's not your intent to lose your benefits, only to supplement them. For myself, like you, I wish I could work. But after fighting this battle, it's too early, too soon. The Medicare alone makes disability benefits worthwhile for someone like us. With pre-existing conditions it's very hard to get hired and insured. Hopefully with the new health-care reform that will change.

KK

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I distrust morning people largely because I suspect them of getting together one morning and setting up the rules of civilization while the rest of us slept.

You're right about that. For nine months when one returns to work, and they don't have to be nine months in a row, a person can make an unlimited amount. But, I agree with Kokerdev. I wouldn't chance it. It could lead to an early redetermination, and getting kicked off benefits. It's not necessarily supposed to work like that, but when dealing with Social Security, it's like any other government office-I don't trust them.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

From my conversation with medicare I learned that the ticket to work program is designed ultimately to wean people off the system and back into the work force . Its not for the chronically ill person who most likely will remain disabled . That being the fact it could still be used in the short term if you wish . When I checked into it I was told I would need to regularly send medicare or ssd paper work with my pay stubs and other stuff . The place I was considering working would have had to make copy's and be involved in that . I really didn't want my employer knowing all my business in the small town I lived in so I chose not to persue it futher .

I'm thinking like Betty and don't really trust my benefits to the whim of a government employee .

I have the same question. I receive SSI which i'm told is a little different from SSD, and I've been offered a temporary job, but I really don't want to affect my benefits as well as lose my medicaid (I can't afford to do that cause my meds cost over 2000.00/mo). I'm so confused so if anyone has any information, that would be greatly appreciated.

Were I you, I would talk to my ASO (Aids Service Organization), and see if they could hook you up with a benefits counselor. How much you'd be allowed to make before getting your SSI taken away, would depend on how much you get from the SSI. SSI is like a welfare program-it's needs based. SSDI is based on how much a person earned from working over a certain period of time. So, for what you receive, how much you can earn would be figured, I'm thinking, almost the same way a welfare office would figure how much food stamps a person would get, based on their need. We can't give you a solid figure, like there is for SSDI. A benefits counselor would be able to help. Good luck.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow